I bought a second-hand Super-8 film back in the 70's, thinking it would be an extract from a Hammer film. But it was this film, with no sound track. I thought it was wonderful then and I still do now - especially when I used to project it onto a large screen in a darkened room. After trying several pieces of music, I found a track from Tangerine Dream's Force Majeure album that seemed to fit perfectly. I did a home-striping job on the film (I still have nightmares about home-striping) and added the music. I'll have to dig the film and my projector out to find which track it was. I do wish there was a good copy of the film available on DVD.

vry misleading

Ain't nothing special...just a head scratcher is all. Looks like someone was playing around with the new camera they got for Christmas back in 1928 and decided to have a few drinks, test it out, and try to create a few special effects along the way. Once they burned through enough cognac and film to splice it together into a 12 minute and 49 second sequence, they got to work and added a then hip title to it.

I can't believe that this film isn't required viewing for all film students. I also can't believe its so obscure. This is a work of art. Probably the best example of German Expressionism that one can find.

I don't know which I liked better, the music or the video. I don't remember enough of Poe's story line but this is one awesome work of art. I loved it. I would give it 10 out of 5 stars.

I like this version much more than the film by Jean Epstein (that is far too long and the music is a pain). If you have really something to say: make it short. It looks very European, or to be more precisely: like the ultimative German expressionistic Gothic novel!

I found it to be very interesting. A great deaprture from the normal film-making style of the 20's and 30's, and a wonderful piece of expressionism.

But off hand some interesting things that are symbolistic come to mind. The sets are very M.C. Escher-esque, staircases to staircases, some conventional, some abstract, but I point out it's escher-esque becuase it's the House of Usher, and can't help wondering if there is a deliberate link via this pun calling us to that similarity of names. The story seems to start right off with the couple seperating, she seems to walk off into a dream. There are visions of stacked books. Purposefully stacked so as to give them a staircase look. This leads me to think we are symbollically referencing education as a staricase to higher power and elitism, which seems to be what he is all about. That somehow by having his elitism grow as his knowledge and power grows, this potential personal emotional downfall is allowed to take place, the seperation of 2 people in love, one can grow too fast for one's own good is the message, and it's the downfall of his dream girl to really be his that is scuttling his life. She wanders in her dream state most of the movie searching. He wanders after her, always a little too late, as if to say his increase of knowledge wasn't helping to bring her back, but send her further away. Nicely shot, double imaging which we don't see much anymore, alluding to dream state, soft black and white but everything is distinct thats important. It has a Black Orpheus feel to it. -From one who does not know the Poe storyline.